UMBC women’s soccer falls to Navy 3-2 in season opener

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Via UMBC) – UMBC women’s soccer built a two-goal cushion, but was unable to hang on as Navy scored three straight second-half goals to defeat the Retrievers in non-conference action on Friday’s season opener at Glenn Warner Soccer Facility.

UMBC used a goal in each half, the first from sophomore midfielder Gabby Boehmer (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) and the second from freshman midfielder Jenna Denis (Ridgefield, Conn./Ridgefield), to open a two-goal lead with 40:07 remaining in the contest.

Two of Navy’s three goals came off of corner kicks, a category the Mids held a 7-4 advantage in. The Retrievers fall in their season opener for the second time in the last three years, with the one victory coming last year against Navy.

UMBC’s defense, led by senior goalkeeper Jen Nance (Millersville, Md./Severna Park), was able to hold off the Navy threat of five opening-half corner kicks. The Retrievers were able to strike before the end of the opening half as sophomore Madison Koenig (Crofton, Md./South River) served up a ball to the far side post for a wide open Boehmer to head under the cross bar to put UMBC out in front, 1-0, in the 39th minute.

The Retrievers wasted little time adding to their advantage in the opening minutes of the second half. Senior forward Alexa Quaranta (Baltimore, Md./Perry Hall) made a nice move on a pair of defenders to switch back to the opposite side of the field and dumped off a pass to Denis, who placed a shot under the cross bar 4:53 into the stanza for her first collegiate score.

Navy was able to get one goal back in the 66th minute as junior midfielder Rachel Feldman gathered a deflected ball and slotted a ball just inside the post.

The Mids were able to take advantage of their sixth corner of the game. Despite the Retrievers being able to get a touch on it, but freshman defender Mary August netted the first goal of her collegiate career to tie the contest at two apiece in the 83rd minute. Just 1:40 later, another corner led to a header for freshman midfielder Margaret Woodward that put the Mids on top, 3-2.

Nance finished the game with one save, while Navy starting keeper Taygan Grundy tallied one save. Junior goalkeeper Dayton Wetherby came in for two saves in the final 10 minutes of the contest and picked up the victory for the Mids.

UP NEXT FOR THE RETRIEVERS: UMBC welcomes Bucknell to Retriever Soccer Park on Sunday, Aug. 23 at 1 p.m. for the Dawgs home opener.